Marlins Trade Reliever Kyle Barraclough to the Nationals

In a move that will give the Miami Marlins more flexibility to sign international players, the team traded reliever Kyle Barraclough to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

The Miami Marlins continue to remain all in on trying to sign international players and have taken yet another step toward increasing their international pool money to do so. The team announced on Wednesday it had traded reliever Kyle Barraclough to the Washington Nationals.

"Per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the deal was, “for an undisclosed amount of international bonus pool money. It was the Marlins’ second trade in four days to build up more international dollars for their pursuit of Cuban prospects Victor Victor Mesa, Victor Mesa Jr., and Sandy Gaston.”"

This is the second deal the team has made in less than a week to add money to attempt to reach an agreement with the three Cuban prospects. Minor leaguer Ryan Lillie was sent to the Cincinnati Reds. The Marlins started out last week with $4.3 million to use in the international pool prior to these transactions. It is not known how much the organization has to negotiate with.

Miami only trailed the Baltimore Orioles, a team with $6.7 million to sign international stars.

The trade of Barraclough isn’t surprising after the reliever and one-time closer for the organization had a dismal second half of 2018 and spent time on the disabled list.

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After being named the National League Reliever of the Month for June, he developed issues with his control and was removed from the closer’s role.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly used a closer by committee approach for the last month of the season.

"“Barraclough, 28, had an uneven and perplexing 2018, going 1-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 61 appearances. He saved 10 of 17 chances. The right-hander became the Marlins’ closer in the first half and had a 1.28 ERA in 42 1/3 innings before the All-Star break,” Frisaro wrote."

In the second half of 2018, Barraclough had a 13.50 ERA in 13 1/3 inning and had only one save in five chances.

The news of the trade also means the Marlins will once again open the 2018 season with a new closer. Adam Conley, Drew Steckenrider and Tayron Guerrero are amongst those on the roster who will have an opportunity to claim the open spot. Drew Rucinski is also an option.

Miami must also decide if they plan to choose a closer from the player on the roster at Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida or seek either a trade or sign someone in free agency. It is more likely the organization will promote from within before making a decision to look elsewhere.